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  South Pasadena Chinese-American Club

Newsletter

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June 2013

In This Issue
A Few Words From Our President
SPUSD Update From Our Board Member
SPCC Honored by SP PTA Coucil
Monthly Chinese Dinner a Hit With Union Station Residents
Club Wins Top Prize for City's 125th Anniversary Booth
"Cantonese Yankee" Author Shares Family's Connections

      Calendar

June 
2   Volunteers serve dinner at Pasadena Union Station  

13  Board Meeting,
7:30 p.m.
 
 

July 
4   Fundraising booth Festival of Balloons Garfield Park

7   Volunteers serve dinner at Pasadena Union Station  


11  Board Meeting,
7:30 p.m.
 

August  
4   Volunteers serve dinner at Pasadena Union Station  

8   Board Meeting,
7:30 p.m.
 

September 
1   Volunteers serve dinner at Pasadena Union Station 

12  Board Meeting,
7:30 p.m.

28 Moon Festival
Library Community Room grounds

October
6   Volunteers serve dinner at Pasadena Union Station 

10  Board Meeting,
7:30 p.m.
 
November
3   Volunteers serve dinner at Pasadena Union Station 

14  Board Meeting,
7:30 p.m.


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A Few Words From Our President


It is my privilege and honor to serve as your President, but the keys to the success of this Club are the pledges and participation of our membership and Board of Directors.  Here I especially want to recognize the contribution of Board Member Estela Cheng for organizing a fun-filled and successful dinner dance. We could not have done it without her leadership.

I also want to thank all of you who attended and/or contributed to our May 4, 2013, annual dinner dance fundraiser at NBC Seafood Restaurant in Monterey Park. Your support speaks volumes, and for almost 25 years, your donations have allowed us to fund programs for our students, to host Chinese cultural events, and to continue our 14+ years' commitment to feed the homeless at Union Station in Pasadena.  The goals of the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club (SPCC) are to support education, to promote Chinese culture, and to serve the community.  Let's maintain our focus and continue with the SPCC spirit!

In the latter part of the year, SPCC will host the annual Moon Festival. This year's festivities will take place on Saturday, September 28, at library Park at the Library Community Room. We are seeking performers, musicians, singers, and dancers of all ages, and volunteers for our booths. If you would like to get involved or know of any performers who would like to participate in this event, please email us at [email protected].

Warmest Regards,
JC Signature
Jeannie Chiu

Annual Fundraising Dinner Dance Raises $18,000 to Continue SPCC Mission
"The annual South Pasadena Chinese-American Club (SPCC) annual fund raiser on May 4th was an intimate, casual, and extremely fun event," said Joe Loo, SPCC Board Member and Member of the Board of Education. He said it was also a successful one, raising more than $18,000 for the nonprofit club's educational and cultural programs.
  
Almost 250 guests enjoyed a 10-course Chinese banquet at NBC Seafood in Monterey Park, and a lively musical tribute offered by the South Pasadena Unified School District to the tune of the Village People's "YMCA" thrilled the crowd and instantly put the guests in a partying mood.  
  
SPCC President Jeannie Chiu welcomed the guests, followed by a nonstop line-up of guests who were also professional-level singers, backed up by a top-rated karaoke DJ. Small groups of singers and dancers took to the stage, while appreciative fans waved in unison from the tables.  Line dance instructors and a professional zumba instructor packed the dance floor with enthusiastic, energetic followers. At one point, all on the dance floor were perfecting their Gangnam-style moves. Former City Treasurer Victor Robinette surprised his wife Gretchen by serenading her with his rendition of  Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" to her on stage. Allen Lin, Marengo Elementary School teacher, served as the genial MC. 
  
Also in attendance  were City Manager Sergio Gonzalez, Police Chief Art Miller, City Clerk and SPCC Board Member Sally Kilby, Mayor Richard Schneider, M.D., Councilmember Michael Cacciotti, School Board Members David Adelstein and Elisabeth Eilers, School Superintendent Joel Shapiro, Principals Janet Anderson and Dave Kubela, Assistant Principal Ginger Merritt, and School District officials Scott Price and Steve Seaford. Congresswoman Judy Chu and Assemblymember Chris Holden mingled with guests.

Club President Jeannie Chiu said, "We thank our loyal, avid supporters for making it possible for us to continue our mission of funding educational and cultural projects to benefit the community."  She expressed sincere appreciation to Estela Cheng, who has headed up the annual fundraiser since the Club began almost 25 years ago.

2013 Annual Dinner_1954
School officials honored the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club at the Club's annual dinner dance by rendering a show-stopping song-and-dance version of the Village People's "YMCA" by substituting the letters "SPCC." Participating were (left to right) Scott Price, School District Assistant Superintendent of Business; Elisabeth Eilers, School Board Member;  Joel Shapiro, School District Superintendent; Jeannie Chiu, SPCC President; Joe Loo, School Board Member; David Adelstein, School Board President; Steve Seaford, School District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction; and Allen Lin, Master of Ceremonies and Marengo Elementary School teacher.

2013 Dinner Dance 1
Congresswoman Judy Chu joined SPCC dinner dance organizers and officials (left to right) Estela Cheng, SPCC Event Chair; Jeannie Chiu, SPCC President; Joe Loo, Member, SPUSD Board and SPCC Board; Honorable Judy Chu; Sally Kilby, City Clerk and SPCC Board Member; Michael Cacciotti, South Pasadena Councilmember; Sergio Gonzalez, South Pasadena City Manager; and Elisabeth Eilers, SPUSD Board Member.
2013 Dinner Dance 7
Taking a break between Zumba lessons are standing (left to right) Judy Harris, Kenneth Gross, Jan-Jan Wu, and Annie Wang. Seated (left to right) are Zumba instructor Margo Perez, John Davis, Virginia Yee, Vivian Chen, Yvonne Hsueh,and David Nhan. Most at the table are students of Margo Perez, the energetic Zumba Instructor.

SPUSD Update From Our Board Member
spcc President Joe Loo

Development of the School District Parking Lot
The South Pasadena Unified School District (District) is evaluating plans presented by two developers to create retail space and apartments in the parking lot of the District Administration Building on El Centro Street. A subcommittee consisting of School Board President David Adelstein and Board Member Joseph Loo will present findings to the Board. Following this, the issue will be discussed at a meeting, and the Board will decide on a direction to pursue.

School Board election
This year there are three open School Board seats to be voted on at the biennial election on November 5, 2013. Incumbents Michele Kipke and Elisabeth Eilers have stated their intent to run for re-election, and incumbent David Adelstein has stated he will retire from the board.

High School Science Labs
The District is continuing with its plan to install four new science classrooms at the high school. The projected area is the softball field opposite the auditorium and behind the parking lot. With the discovery of a sewer line underneath the field, the configuration of the building is being re-evaluated.

--Joe Loo
SPUSD Board of Education
SPCC Board Member
SPCC Honored by SP PTA Council
Each year the South Pasadena Council PTA recognizes members and service groups from the community and School District for their outstanding service to South Pasadena students.  This year's luncheon was held on April 23, 2013, and the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club was recognized as a past recipient of the Honorary School Service Award. All past and present honorees were invited to the event and were recognized during the award luncheon.

Representing the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club at the PTA Council luncheon were (left to right) Jeannie Chiu, President; and SPCC Board Members or Members Shireen Chang, Maida Wong, Joan Aguado, and Joe Loo.
2013 Honorary Service 2
Recipients of the PTA Council's Honorary School Service Award from prior years attended the luncheon and were recognized for their contributions.

Monthly Chinese Dinner a Hit With Union Station Residents
2013 Adopt a meal


Serving a delicious Chinese dinner to the homeless at Pasadena's Union Station recently were (L-R) SPCC Member and Newsletter Co-Editor Margaret Lee; South Pasadena City Councilmember Michael Cacciotti and his wife Annie Wei Cacciotti; and Joe Loo, SPCC Board Member and Member of the SPUSD Board of Education. The monthly meal from Oak Tree Inn in South Pasadena is extremely popular with Union Station residents. 
Club Wins Top Prize for City's 125th Anniversary Booth
2013 SP 12th Bday Winner
Joe Loo and Melinda Louie show off the Club's first-place award during the City of South Pasadena's 125th Anniversary celebration on March 2, 2013, at Library Park.
 
2013 SP Bday Winner 2
City Councilmember Bob Joe (left) and Mayor Pro Tem Marina Khubesrian (right) join SPCC President Jeannie Chiu (second from left) and SPCC Board Member Shireen Chang (second from right) at the City's 125th Birthday Party Celebration.

On March 2,2013, the City held a celebration around the Library Community Room to commemorate its 125th anniversary. Many activities, events, and booths were featured. SPCC won the top prize for the best-decorated booth that best reflected the theme of the event:"Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Reaching for the Future."

Featured at the popular booth were a photo poster board of the Club's history; "Year of the Snake" crafts and a snake tattoo; colorful lanterns; and a large live snake, courtesy of Board Member Suzette Lee-Shults and her family.
 
"Cantonese Yankee" Author Shares Family's Connections to Fascinating Student Exchange Program
 
Imperial China, afraid that the country would be carved up by invading countries, sent a group of male students to the United States from 1872-1881 to learn about scientific innovations that were being made.
  
Louise Su Tang, who is the granddaughter of two of the 120 students, told the story of her maternal grandfather Bing in her book, "Cantonese Yankee." On April 25, she captivated the Library Community Room audience by reading from her book and showing slides of her family.
  
The "Author Night" event was co-sponsored by SPCC, the South Pasadena Public Library, and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. SPCC provided refreshments.


SPCC Board Member Shireen Chang (left) welcomed an audience of more than 50 for "Cantonese Yankee." Pictured next to her are (left to right)  Jeannie Chiu, SPCC President, Louise Su Tang, featured speaker, Ken Tang, Ms. Su Tang's husband, and Sally Kilby, SPCC Board Member.
 
The South Pasadena Chinese-American Club Newsletter is published quarterly in March, June, September and December.
 
Please submit your articles for the next issue by  August 15, 2013.

Sincerely,

Sally Kilby and Margaret Lee, Co-Editors
South Pasadena Chinese-American Club